In the afternoon, the Chapter discussed the results of the group reflections on the Youfra. The Chapter had also the joy to welcome the Vicar general of the Cappuchin Friars Minor, fr. Aurelio Laita, of the Friars Minor, fr. Francesco Bravi and of the Conventual Friars Minor, fr. Fermino Giacometti. Fr. Aurelio Laita, in name of the General Minister, John Corriveau OFMCap, stressed the importance of unity and of secularity for the SFO. Fr. Francesco Bravi exhorted all to listen to God in daily life, in the workshop of the potter, like the prophet Jeremia, and to give full attention to the need of the individual, like Francis had for the brother dying from hunger. Fr. Ferminto Giacometti stressed that all of us should contribute to our common mission in our own way, as Friars, as contemplative or active Sisters, as Secular Franciscans The Chapter then proceeded with the discussion about formation and the draft of a message to be sent by the Chapter to all Secular Franciscans. The afternoon closed with a formal vote on these various topics.
After dinner, at 9.00 p.m., a first draft of the conclusions of the Chapter was discussed.

Formation

The Chapter of 2002 pointed out something which in our judgement is fundamental: «the need to find new, original and effective ways of giving to formation, especially initial formation, such cohesion and uniformity as are worthy of an Order that is spread throughout the world and called to play a fundamental role -- to exercise a mature apostolate recognized in the Church ...»

By way of response to this tremendous challenge, we can state that it continues to be the primary and basic point among all the concerns and priorities we have had to address. We say this from the perspective of our presence in practically all the constituted national fraternities, and in a fair number of emerging fraternities, whether on the occasion of election chapters, fraternal and pastoral visits, congresses, seminars, etc. And this unquenchable thirst for formation in the SFO is now very evident in the quality of those in charge of its animation and guidance, although this aspect cannot yet be fully evaluated and there must be no stopping our efforts to improve it still further.

We were able to witness the continued growth and maturation of the National Councils in terms of the importance they properly give to formation, on which depends the future of the SFO in the world and the Church of today.

The national Chapters show an admirable concern to provide teams of suitable people who can identify and communicate the basic principles of formation which our Order needs at the present time. In many parts of the world, where the economic situation of the country allows it, we have found technologically innovative methods and tools being used.

There is a gradual growth in awareness of the fact that formators need to know how to accompany the brothers and sisters, how to assess their progress and discern the needs to which their vocation is drawing them. This leads us to consider the diversity of tasks and commitments undertaken either by the community or individually when it comes to giving witness to one’s vocation and experiencing a sense of mission, or being sent, as an inseparable part of being a citizen, a Christian and a Franciscan.

However, while we do find continuous, worthy and laudable progress in the national Councils and the quality of their leaders, one frequently comes across a sort of Gordian knot on the occasion of a visitation, where the councils of the local fraternities are frequently confused regarding the process for accepting brothers and sisters into the Order or to profession. Sometimes they are more concerned with numbers than with the quality of the commitment which candidates have to make. This is why it is of the highest importance that the national Councils (and regional ones, where they exist) should be aware of the need to train the local fratermnity leaders, including the spiritual assistants, in this primary and vital responsibility, namely, the evaluation of the candidates, as well as the vocational discernment of those who seek admission to profession. The need to consult the formation director and the spiritual Assistant before the Council takes a decision is indispensible. Also, the decision as such must be made by the Council in a secret vote. This is necessary to ensure that the decision is made freely, without human respect or pressure, and with an absolute sense of responsibility for the primary good of the fraternity and of the Order as a whole.